What you need to know about the next BMW G30 5 Series

We’re going to take a look at some of the things we heard there will be in the new BMW G30 5 Series and some we assume will make their way into and and outside the sporty sedan.

2016 is an exciting year for BMW. From the celebration of their 100th years of existence, to the launch of a new generation 5 and 7 Series, and a new M car, the year is filled with excitement and high-expectations from the Bavarians. While the new 7 Series broke cover recently, the G30 5 Series remains a mystery to everyone. We’re going to take a look at some of the things we heard there will be in the 5 Series and some we assume will make their way into and and outside the sporty sedan.

Launch Time, Launch Code and Variants

Frugal three-cylinder engines, a 600bhp M5, and the ability to drive itself – the next BMW 5-series will offer something for everyone, even those people who don’t like driving.

Codenamed G30, the sixth generation of BMW’s executive sedan arrives in summer 2016. It will be offered in a Gran Turismo and Sports Wagon bodystyle as well.

Engineering

The new G30 family is built upon the originally called ‘35up’ platform, now CLAR, which will be found in the next 3, 5, 6 and 7 Series models. The platform mixes high-strength steel, aluminum and carbon fiber to drop around 80kg from today’s 5-series. CLAR, a contraction of Cluster Architecture, depicts the extra flexibility provided by fewer but more versatile submodules (clusters) which are more extensively adjustable in content, size and adaptability.

The next-gen M5 will be even more exciting also. The super sporty sedan is expected to drop around 180 kg and deliver 600 horsepower from the same 4.4 liter Twin-Turbo V8. The optional all-wheel drive (xDrive) will also finally arrive to compete with Audi’s and Mercedes’ offerings.

Powerplants

For years, BMW has touted the importance of the three-cylinder engine, the “baby-six” modular plant, which can produce more than 200 horsepower. Even though some expected to see the 1.5 liter three-cylinder in the upcoming 3 Series facelift, BMW has scrapped those plans and will save the little but potent motor for the new 5 Series. The reduced mass of the new G30 5er will allow for an entry-level 518d to be powered by three-cylinder diesel producing 150 hp and delivering an impressive 72 mpg fuel efficiency.

BMW is grouping 500cc cylinders together to create three-, four- and six-pot engines, with 60% common parts. A 2.0-litre four-cylinder will power the 520d and 231 hp 525d, while the leading petrol four is a 272 hp 528i.

Engine size dictates which suspensions slot into place: smaller-engined 5-series share front axles with the next 3-series, but go for a six- or eight-cylinder 5-series and you’ll get the front axle from the next 7-series instead.

At the high-end of the new G30 lineup, we will continue to see the six-cylinder engines, in the 530i with 333 horsepower, 540i with 375 hp; and 286 hp 530d, 333 hp 535d and the tri-turbo M550d with 400 hp. The last one is rumored to now feature four turbochargers which should offer astonishing fuel efficiency. The new eDrive platform will most certainly be incorporated into one or multiple 5 Series hybrids combined with a four or six cylinder conventional engine.

Tech And Gadgets

The 2015 CES was a preview of things to come. The rumormill churns out that the inductive charging technology seen at CES will make its way into a 5 Series hybrid. A plug-in version 5 Series would lowers its charge adapter to a garage floor-mounted plate for inductive charging.

Autonomous functions will be the center of future BMWs, and by that we don’t necessarily mean self-driving car, but rather individual, interconnected features that automate some of the driver-performed functions today. The new 5 Series will not only park itself, but change lanes and overtake on the driver’s behalf. It’ll use radar-based cruise control to stay in its lane, detect a car ahead, and signal before pulling out and passing the car in front.

Inside the cabin we will see the new iDrive system with touchscreen and gesture-based functions, the over-the-air updates for the car and other gimmicks that will bring ConnectedDrive philosophy to a new level. We even predict a self-opening tailgate as you approach the car with a cell phone or a keyfob in your packet. The technology is here, available and the sky is the possibility.